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Chapter Twenty-Seven - Cassie
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2022-08-06 15:29:49Related chapters
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Twenty-Eight - Paying the Price
The door was capable of being bolted as well as locked with a key. Had it once doubled as a dungeon? The gladiator made it clear to Hermione and Eithne that he was in charge, setting them the task of securing it. They’d been made to wait while he used the bathhouse. The female attendant was obviously to his liking given the moans which didn’t all come from her. She giggled as she passed them, putting a finger to her lips, and Eithne saw more than she would have liked of the woman’s ample chest which was just about spilling over her tight bodice. Feeling insulted yet relieved, she hugged the miller’s daughter. “We’ll come through this,” she said, casting her mind back to earlier and the strange behaviour of Flavius. When he saw them in the passage he started to grin and even winked. She couldn’t begin to understand why. Marcus emerged a short while later looking refreshed and un-gladiator like in his Ormondian shirt and puffed breeches. Who did he think he was, Clara’s new favourit
Last Updated : 2022-08-06The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Twenty-Nine - Indignities
“He subjected the Queen to that?”Drago was incensed, Xander less so.“If it were Clara …”He left the rest of it unsaid.“What are you waiting for?” Earl Adam queried, one booted foot carelessly sullying the fabric of a named nobleman’s carved seat. “Strip her.”Cassie shuddered, turning her face away. She expected a lust-crazed mob to surround her stepmother at any moment. Maybe she could find an excuse to visit the buttery.She became aware that the room had gone quiet, except for the Queen’s terrified pleas. “I beg you … no. For the love of – ”“Why so reluctant? She’s only flesh and blood, like us.” He gave a deep sigh. “Must I do everything myself?”“Leave her be.”Cassie could not believe she had dared to speak up on behalf of a woman who had merely tolerated her existence.Earl Adam stalked over to her, invading her personal space as if he had the right. He tilted her chin.“Know your place, slave,” he hissed, eliciting several gasps from the other women present. His eyes held
Last Updated : 2022-08-07The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Thirty - Ephron
The weathervane was unreliable at best, just like Ephron. Eithne couldn’t understand how someone could change so much and for the worse. The wind was coming from the north today and she drew her shawl more closely about her, regretting the fact that she had been forced to steal it. Marcus was in trouble, also. The incriminating piece of paper had been laid before Clara by none other than Megan. A week had passed since the night of her shame, which had seemed so much more sordid than what happened with Xander. Strangely, she didn’t blame the disgraced gladiator, no longer regarding him as a strutting cockerel, like the one atop the spinning weathervane. In her opinion, they should have removed it in favour of a witch on a broomstick. She shuddered. To her astonishment, Marcus had come to her rescue in a way, stating from the outset that he wouldn’t be able to perform with watchers. That hadn’t gone down well, unfortunately, so he’d proceeded to demonstrate his inadequacy. That must h
Last Updated : 2022-08-07The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Thirty-One - Boniface
“Wait,” Cassie cried out when the pace became too much. “You need to listen to me.”Earl Adam halted and marched back to where she was doubled over and panting.“Slaves do not initiate conversations with their masters. They serve a purpose, something you will start to understand very shortly.”“What about your men?”“Eager to share your services, are you, little bitch?”It was so hard to meet his eyes now. That knowing gaze was tearing her apart. “Don’t call them, please. I beg you.”“No tears?”Cassie thought he was taunting her at first, but there was something about the way he said it.“I don’t think you have it in you to hurt someone, truly hurt them,” she dared.“You know nothing about me.”“Yes, I do. I saw – I mean, I wasn’t laughing because of what happened.”“Don’t tell me, you were hysterical.”“Ask Izzy, my sister, if you don’t believe me.”“Maybe I will. At least she had the grace to look shocked. Well, you’re going to make it up to me.”“How?”Earl Adam jerked her close t
Last Updated : 2022-08-08The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Thirty-Two - Ava
Eithne really wished Ephron would make himself scarce, though he showed no signs of abandoning her. Did he too think, like Megan, that she would jump? She didn’t know whether to be relieved or irritated when she saw the small delegation in the form of the two other princesses making their way towards her. She sincerely doubted they were fawning over her brother, who had changed considerably in two years. “How are you both faring?” she greeted them, motioning with her hand for Ephron to move away. He didn’t take the hint, staring at Ava like a predator. As far as she could recall, her brother hadn’t lusted after females so openly, but perhaps someone she knew all too well had unleashed the beast. Isabel was the only one who smiled. She had been spending time tending to Flavius’ injuries and it seemed a firm friendship was forming. “Iain was telling me … ” she began, and paused as a bird of prey – probably a falcon – flew overhead. “Oh, isn’t it magnificent? Such speed.” “This one
Last Updated : 2022-08-08The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Thirty-Three - Xander
The blush on Isabel’s less-than-perfect cheeks spoke volumes. Was she really that shy? Eithne reflected it hadn’t been pleasant when the conqueror forced her to open her bodice but Drago, who had also been present, had offered up what was sound advice afterwards. There really were worse things which could happen. A maidservant was approaching. She only noticed her because of the yelp she gave when Ephron goosed her. What had gotten into him these days? “Yes?” she asked, beckoning when the young woman loitered on the periphery of their little group. “If it please you, Princesses, Queen Clara requests your presence downstairs at once.” What now? she wondered. “You mean the Dowager Queen,” she corrected, with a glance at Ephron. But her brother was already retreating. Was this to be something unpleasant and humiliating? Ava was obviously of the same mind. “What does that bloody bitch want now? No offence, Eithne.” She linked arms with each of them, knowing even the feisty one nee
Last Updated : 2022-08-09The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Thirty-Four - Rowanne
“I need your help,” she said, “starting from now.” Eithne was too shocked to protest, while Megan demanded to know on whose authority. “Clara won’t like it if she isn’t aware.” The female gladiator ignored her, crossing the threshold and surveying the richly-appointed chamber. A frown formed on her forehead and she went over to the far side of the room. Without warning, she took the dagger from her belt and stuck it into a small opening in the wall. “Has that always been there?” Eithne shook her head. “If I were you I’d undress behind a screen in future,” Rowanne said. Crouching down, she inspected a hole in the flagstones, shaking her head in a way which didn’t disclose what she was thinking. “The Princess would be far safer under your protection,” Megan said. “A flatterer. Why didn’t you warn her?” “Because I didn’t know.” Slowly, it dawned on Eithne that there had been a clandestine witness to her wanton romp. She clapped a hand over her mouth, feeling slightly sick. “My
Last Updated : 2022-08-09The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Thirty-Five - The Imposter
Eithne knew she was in trouble when the man in the surcoat planted his dirty boots on the part of the floor she had just finished scrubbing. Orange and mauve, her least favourite colours in the world. “You are to come with me, Princess,” he said, extending his arm. She scrambled to her feet without assistance, wondering why every time someone sent by Clara spoke to her they did so with a sneer. The way he pronounced her title made it sound as if she belonged in a dung heap. It couldn’t be any worse than here. Her heart sank to see they were on their way to the royal chamber. The escort rapped once on the door and stood back so that Eithne came face to face with Ephron. “There you are, you little harlot. Tell Mama how you behaved like a true fille de joie with an unknown man.” Two things alarmed her about that last sentence. Her brother used the Frankish term for a prostitute when he had always professed a distaste for Clara’s mother tongue. And he apparently hadn’t recognised Xand
Last Updated : 2022-08-10
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The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Five - Peekaboo
One Year LaterHe had been looking forward to this moment for a while, this private time alone with his new family. Drago had sent word via various couriers who had since gone on to do other, possibly more worthy, things.If he had a sense of shame it was in having left them, after all, to pursue his long held dreams. Had it been worth the possible cost? Did she have another in her bed?The evidence was there in front of his eyes. He could scarcely take it in.This lad was very young and without beard. That would come in time.He watched, fascinated, as they rolled together and she tickled his sides making him laugh. It was an infectious sound, soon echoed by the other person present: a girl.Xander knew the imposter had once stood here watching him and Eithne. This act was far different but maybe no less unworthy. He should have announced his presence straight away.Having heard she was back in her old bedchamber he had been curious as to the reason why. Well, now he knew.She was we
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Four - A Royal Wedding
On the day itself, Eithne was sick several times. If only she could hide behind a veil. But there was nothing else for it, however pasty she looked, this was the happiest day in her young life.She hadn’t anticipated she would be staying in Ormond when she wed and, mere months ago, it had seemed as if this day would never come. Slavery had taught her that some people had cruel natures and some did not. Eithne was only grateful it had been Xander who turned up that day, otherwise Clara might well have made the rest of her short life a living hell.Lysette had been found eventually by a dogged Hengest and was now detained at King Ephron’s pleasure. His sister sighed. She hoped he would become immune to her obvious charms and not be tempted to release her from the dungeon anytime soon.He kept saying no harm had been done, but it might well have been.There had been no compromise and she was suffering the kind of endless ceremony she had dreaded. Illness was one way of gaining respite, a
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Three - New Beginnings
Eithne could hide nothing from Xander, nor did she want to, and especially not when it came to her condition. He was delighted and swept her off her feet, though with caution, adding after several kisses that they really ought to conclude their arrangement.Procrastination shouldn’t become a habit.She puzzled for a time until she translated that to mean wed sooner rather than later. Illegitimacy remained unspoken between them. While he had so often flaunted his, she knew it rankled more than he let on.They were still arguing about what form it should take and where. Ephron had disclosed that Genevieve was seeking an alliance for purposes of trade and defence. It seemed she had approached Louis, but he wasn’t interested in Beeveland, just its Queen. And marriage was definitely off the table as far as she was concerned.Eithne knew that didn’t mean there was hope for her brother. Or any man, including Halfdan who was probably unaware how she felt.But Xander’s sister was due for a st
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-Two - Unworthy
Xander said nothing to anyone, though he was beginning to feel he couldn’t hold a candle to the two remaining women in his life. Genevieve had taken over the reins from Henri with aplomb and was ruling magnificently, while Eithne had been through so much and was still prepared to sacrifice herself for him of all people when he knew how much she loved the realm of Ormond.Still, perhaps the castle wasn’t the best place for her to reside any more. If need be, he would tear it down and rebuild it with his own hands just to prove how much he cared about her. But he wasn’t the ruler, not even the self-styled conqueror these days, just a man with wanderlust in his head and a selfless princess in his heart.There was something he could do for her, at least until King Ephron was settled with a worthy consort, and that was to postpone his plans to leave. It didn’t mean never and, with time, his priorities might change. Children did not need an absent father, at any age.That night, in her bedc
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty-One - Beeveland
The pastures were endless here and probably more fertile. Eithne bit her lip. She hoped she was with child, though it was too soon to tell.Each province had its own dialect so that her correct Frankish wasn’t always enough for her to make herself understood. But she seemed to charm all she met. Was that because Princess Genevieve was by her side, waving to the people from the litter? It was quite obvious Xander wasn’t so popular.He probably didn’t care, but she did. If they were going to rule here, they had to command respect from their subjects.“What happened?” she asked him that night as they lay beside each other in bed.She was still his betrothed as the priest had been stricken with something and it had seemed churlish to postpone their trip.“You mean, how did they get rid of me before? I walked,” he said.Her forehead puckered.“I don’t understand.”“The people kept on and on asking me about Genevieve until I couldn’t take it any more.”“So you deposed yourself? If such a th
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Eighty - Repercussions
The lightning strike had done all the damage, and now Prince Connor Mac Neill lay dying in tremendous pain, one of his legs crushed beneath a fall of rocks. Despite what he had done, turning on them like that, Eithne saw to his comfort, staying with him until the end.Finn was devastated and Ava was nestled in his arms, sobbing openly. That was what death did, it made you remember the good times. In most cases.Though she tried her best, she could not find it in her to mourn her mother, the despised lover and the fake brother.It was an act of God. She would see to it they had a decent burial and that was all.King Ephron seemed to be recovering, as if disaster was making a man of him whereas the ability to do as he pleased had not. Genevieve may have had something to do with that. If he was enamoured that was his affair. Eithne knew Xander’s sister would never consent to be his.They were for Beeveland soon and she was looking forward to seeing the country of his birth. The conqueror
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Nine - Divided Loyalties
There was a new hazard to be overcome once they were close to the fresh air. Xander pulled Eithne back just as she was on the point of exposing herself to the men surrounding the small boat.That gave him an idea. He knew she wouldn’t like it.“I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you how much you love the realm,” he said, in a low voice which sounded mock serious even to his own ears.“I don’t understand.”“Trust me, you will. Well?”“It is my solemn duty to do anything to help the kingdom of Ormond.”“Thank the good Lord, I was hoping you would say that. You didn’t swear?”“Unlike the royal heir, it was enough that I made a promise to my father, the late King.”“I see. Now, I want you to do exactly as I say. Strip!”Her eyes widened.“Here? Now? But I thought – ”“As I suspected. A most disloyal subject,” he said. “Must I do everything myself, including undressing you?”“You failed before,” she pointed out, her violet eyes stormy.“This is a needs must situation,” he said, spinning h
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Eight - Commitment
It wasn’t the most romantic of proposals yet it set her heart aflutter. Eithne gulped.“I will need to change my gown,” she said.“Princess, I didn’t mean now.”“Oh. Forget it then,” she snapped, and had to ask herself why.“I have no intention of doing so. In fact, letting you out of my sight is not an option either.” Xander took her hand. “Come with me to Beeveland,” he coaxed.“Now? Why?”“Not now. Once the affairs of Ormond are sorted.”“I fear that will never happen. Still, it would be good to get away and probably best for Genevieve if we do.”“What do you mean?”“Nothing,” she said, hastily.That crush on one of the Danes, blurted out impulsively after an excess of good local mead, needed nipping in the bud in her opinion. Halfdan was leaving anyway. She hadn’t meant to let the cat out of the bag, but Xander was nothing if not persistent in his questioning.“Genevieve has no sense of propriety,” he fumed.That was rich coming from him, a self-styled conqueror and enslaver. Eith
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Seven - Duped
Xander hadn’t sued for peace so much as cheated in its name. He would do the same again, twice over, if it meant avoiding war. His betrothed had been taken aback by his tactics but he couldn’t afford to let her in on it; her surprise would go a long way to convincing this new enemy whose ego was legendary.Maybe some flowers would mollify her. He had treated her like a pawn and she was still sulking.Encountering his sister in the corridor he enlisted her help.Genevieve’s eyes danced with amusement.“Just be yourself. Spend some time with her. It’s all a girl ever wants. Gifts only make us think you want to atone.”But I do, he thought. For the way it all began.The Danes were preparing to depart, while Finn was now in charge of his brother’s forces.“Stay awhile,” he’d encouraged both the group of Norsemen and those loyal to a different Mac Neill.“Tell him,” Ava urged, nudging Connor’s brother.She was seldom far from his side these days.“We’d like to settle here permanently,” he
